Triglyceride-glucose index predicts adverse cardiovascular events in patients with H-type hypertension combined with coronary heart disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The triglyceride‒glucose index (TyG index) is a reliable surrogate for insulin resistance (IR) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and is associated with cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have reported that H-type hypertension is likewise a predictor of adverse events in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the relationship between the TyG index and prognosis in patients with H-type hypertension combined with CHD has not yet been reported.

Prognostic scores for predicting overall survival in patients with metastatic renal and urothelial cancer undergoing immunotherapy - which one to use?

Purpose: Evaluation of the prognostic significance of four different scoring systems in a real-world cohort of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) or renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) undergoing immunotherapy (IO).

Methods: For 120 patients with mUC (n = 67) and mRCC (n = 53) who received IO between July 2016 and December 2020 at the tertiary Urological University Medical Centre Mannheim, the following scores were recorded at pre-treatment baseline: modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil-to-eosinophil ratio (NER). Overall survival (time between the beginning of IO until the patients' death or last contact) was determined for every patient.

Clinical implication of NT-proBNP to predict mortality in patients with acute type A aortic dissection: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Acute type A aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease commonly seen in emergency department, resulting in substantial mortality and morbidity. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) among this critically ill population.

Design: The design of this study was a retrospective cohort study.

THE IMPACT OF NEUTROPHIL-TO-LYMPHOCYTE RATIO ON SHORT- AND LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS FOLLOWING ELECTIVE INFRARENAL EVAR.

Objective: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a readily available parameter, associated with long-term outcomes in cardiovascular conditions. This study aims to analyze the predictors of NLR and its impact on prognosis and disease-specific outcomes following EVAR.

Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study.

Midterm Outcomes of Common Femoral Patch Angioplasty in Iliofemoral Occlusive Diseases: Bovine Pericardial Patch versus Great Saphenous Vein Patch.

Objective: To assess the mid-term outcomes of utilizing bovine pericardium patch (BPP) compared to great saphenous vein patch (GSVP) in femoral angioplasty for iliofemoral occlusive diseases.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out at the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to July 2023 to assess the efficacy of femoral angioplasty in patients with iliofemoral occlusive disease. Technical success, early outcomes, 24-month primary patency, and freedom from restenosis at the patch site were evaluated.

Significance of TYMS Polymorphism rs3819102 as a Prognostic Marker for Nonsmoking Lung Cancer Patients of the Han Ethnicity in China.

Introduction: With high incidence and mortality rates, lung cancer is now one of the most common cancers in the world. The 5-year survival rate of lung cancer patients is very low, and predicting the prognosis of lung cancer patients and using it to develop treatment strategies and interventions is important for prolonging the survival time of patients. Folate metabolism involves various aspects such as methylation of DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, etc.

Is postoperative adjuvant therapy necessary for pT3N0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma?

Background: The current NCCN guidelines advocate for the use of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in pT3N0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). Here, we sought to evaluate whether postoperative RT/CRT may confer a survival advantage in pT3N0 patients who lack adverse pathological features.

Methods: A dataset of 852 pT3N0 OCSCC patients treated between 2018 and 2021 was analyzed.

Clinical outcomes and care for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: A national cohort study.

Background Aims: SBP leads to high rates acute kidney injury (AKI) -hepatorenal syndrome and mortality. Population-based studies on contemporary SBP epidemiology are needed to inform care. In a large, national cohort of patients diagnosed with SBP and confirmed by ascitic fluid criteria, we characterized ascitic fluid characteristics, in-hospital and 12-month mortality, AKI, and recurrent SBP.

Dosimetry Assessment in Predicting Treatment Outcomes Following Yttrium-90 Transarterial Radioembolization of Hepatic Tumors.

To evaluate the use of yttrium-90 (Y90) dosimetry in predicting treatment outcomes when used following transarterial radioembolization with SIR-Spheres® (Resin Y90) in patients with hepatic tumors. This single institution retrospective analysis included 100 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma or other liver metastases who underwent transarterial radioembolization with resin Y90 and had imaging follow-up within one year of treatment. Mean tumor dose and mean dose to nontumor was calculated using voxel-based dosimetry software.

Imiquimod Cream Preceded by Superficial Curettage vs Surgical Excision for Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Interest in noninvasive treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been increasing. For superficial BCC, it has been demonstrated that imiquimod cream, 5%, has high long-term efficacy, but for nodular BCC (nBCC), long-term evidence is sparse.

Objectives: To evaluate whether superficial curettage (SC) followed by imiquimod cream, 5%, is noninferior to surgical excision (SE) in nBCC after 5 years of treatment.

A comparative analysis of risk stratification tools in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: a EUSTAR analysis.

Objectives: The 2022 European Society of Cardiology and European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) Guidelines for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) recommend risk stratification to optimize management. However, the performance of generic PAH risk stratification tools in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated PAH remains unclear. Our objective was to identify the most accurate approach for risk stratification at SSc-PAH diagnosis.

LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF NON-CELIAC ENTEROPATHIES AND A SCORE TO IDENTIFY PATIENTS WITH POOR OUTCOMES: A 30-YEAR MULTICENTER LONGITUDINAL STUDY.

Introduction: Long-term prognosis of non-celiac enteropathies (NCEs) is poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes and develop a prognostic score for NCEs.

Methods: NCEs patients from an international multicenter cohort (4 Italian centers,1 UK, 1 French,1 Norwegian,1 USA,1 Indian) followed-up over 30 years were enrolled.

Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis in Israel: Genetic Landscape and Clinical Characteristics.

Background: Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis is a rare, adult-onset autosomal-dominant disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. Data about relevant variants in specific populations and typical initial manifestations may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. We here describe the genetic landscape of ATTRv amyloidosis in Israel.

Misses and Near Misses in Paediatric Appendicitis: An Eight-Year, Single-Centre Retrospective Review.

Aim: Diagnostic error can result in the appendectomy of a normal appendix, commonly known as negative appendectomy (NA). Missed appendicitis (MA) is related to a poor outcome. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are factors in presentation associated with NA or MA.

Treatment of Cutaneous Adnexal Carcinoma With Radiotherapy: A 20-Year, Single-Institution Experience in 49 Patients.

Objectives: Cutaneous adnexal carcinomas (CACs) are rare skin cancers with no established treatment guidelines. Given the limited data, this study aims to explore the characteristics and outcomes of patients with CAC treated with radiation therapy (RT).

Methods: Patients diagnosed with CAC between 2000 and 2020 who received RT were included.

Plasma Circulating Metabolites Associated With Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Enzymes: A Multiplatform Population-Based Study.

Background And Aims: Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is the most common chronic liver disease strongly associated with metabolic dysfunction, but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Exploring plasma circulating metabolites may help in elucidating underlying mechanisms and identifying new biomarkers for SLD.

Methods: We examined cross-sectionally the association between plasma metabolites and SLD as well as liver enzymes using data from 4 population-based cohort studies (Rotterdam study, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study, and Study of Latinos).

Machine learning prediction of hepatic encephalopathy for long-term survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in acute variceal bleeding.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective intervention for managing complications of portal hypertension, particularly acute variceal bleeding (AVB). While effective in reducing portal pressure and preventing rebleeding, TIPS is associated with a considerable risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE), a complication that significantly elevates mortality rates.

Aim: To develop a machine learning (ML) model to predict OHE occurrence post-TIPS in patients with AVB using a 5-year dataset.

Effective and Engaging Active Learning in the Medical School Classroom: Lessons from Case-Based Collaborative Learning.

Large group collaborative teaching approaches are rapidly gaining popularity in undergraduate medical education. The case-based collaborative Learning (CBCL) pedagogy was instituted for pre-clerkship teaching at Harvard Medical School in 2015 with subsequent implementation at other medical schools. CBCL emphasizes inductive reasoning, integrates basic and clinical sciences, stimulates curiosity, and fosters teamwork.

Short-term survivors with brain metastases have modest benefits from focal and systemic therapies and remain frequent despite improving treatment landscape.

Purpose: Therapeutic options for patients with brain metastases (BM) increase. While these lead to considerable survival effects in subgroups, there is limited knowledge about characteristics, prognosticators and treatment effects in patients with BM and short survival.

Methods: Patients with a survival time of ≤ 6 months (short-term survivors, STS), diagnosed with BM between 2009-2021 at a large tertiary cancer center were analysed.

Advancement of Heart Transplantation in Thai Recipients: Survival Trends and Pharmacogenetic Insights.

Since 1987, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) has performed a substantial number of heart transplants as a specific therapy for advanced-stage heart failure. This descriptive study aimed to analyze post-transplant survival in the recent era compared to earlier periods and examine the pharmacogenetics of related immunosuppressants. Data from all recipients who underwent heart transplants from 1987 to 2021 were retrospectively retrieved from the electronic medical record.

Risk of residual/recurrent cervical diseases in HPV-positive women post-conization depends on HPV integration status.

Background: It is crucial to identify post-operative patients with HPV infection who are at high risk for residual/recurrent disease. This study aimed to evaluate the association between HPV integration and clinical outcomes in HPV-positive women after cervical conization, as well as to identify HPV integration breakpoints.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data of 791 women who underwent cervical conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2-3 (CIN2-3) between September 2019 and September 2023, sourced from the Fujian and Hubei cervical lesion screening cohorts.

Association between lactate dehydrogenase levels and all-cause mortality in ICU patients with heart failure: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database.

Background: Heart failure (HF) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) often face high short-term mortality rates. This study aims to investigate the relationship between lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with HF.

Methods: Data from the MIMIC-IV database were extracted for subjects eligible for HF diagnosis.

Rational design of 3D-printed scaffolds for breast tissue engineering using structural analysis.

Best cosmetic outcomes of breast reconstruction using tissue engineering techniques rely on the scaffold architecture and material, which are currently both to be determined. This study suggests an approach for a rational design of breast-shaped scaffold architecture, in which structural analysis is implemented to predict its stiffness and adjust it to that of the native tissue. This approach can help achieve the goal of optimal scaffold architecture for breast tissue engineering.

Outcomes and risk factors of transported patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: An ECMO center experience.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been proven to be a support method and technology for patients with cardiopulmonary failure. However, the transport of patients under ECMO support is challenging given the high-risk technical maneuvers and patient-care concerns involved. Herein, we examined the safety of ECMO during the transport of critically ill patients and its impact on mortality rates, to provide more secure and effective transport strategies in clinical practice.

Population-Based Analysis of the Risk of Mycobacterial Infections Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

In this population-based study, we examined the risk of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors among people with cancer. Using a nested case-control design, we identified 184 cases and 714 matched controls; there was no significant association on conditional logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio, 0.51 [95% confidence interval, .